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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Deneb on November 15, 2008, at 13:50:38
I just completed the Autism/Asperger's Screening test at PsychCentral. I did it just because I was curious about the questions.
The first time I did the test I scored a 32.
The scores are:
34 and up: Autism likely
30-33: Possible autism
0-29: No autismI was very surprised to get a 32 so I redid the test, this time thinking more carefully about my answers. I changed a few of them to more accurately reflect myself.
Now this was totally unexpected, but the second time I scored a 34!!
I never thought I might has Asperger's.
Does this seem likely??
Posted by gardenergirl on November 15, 2008, at 15:08:31
In reply to Wow, this was unexpected..., posted by Deneb on November 15, 2008, at 13:50:38
I looked at some of the research about that quiz, and it's not a bad one. Still, it's a screening instrument, only, so no diagnosis can be made just from that. One thing I noted is that scientists tend to score higher than non-scientists. Not sure what that means exactly, as the stereotype of scientists includes behavior that could look like aspergers. But it's worth talking to your T about, at any rate.
What do you think about it?
gg
Posted by Dinah on November 15, 2008, at 15:20:27
In reply to Wow, this was unexpected..., posted by Deneb on November 15, 2008, at 13:50:38
I got a 33. I noticed a lot of the questions involved social anxiety.
But I readily admit to being Aspergerish in some ways. I think I have some of the same neurological characteristics.
It's like anything else. There is a spectrum.
It wouldn't surprise me if you had qualities of Asperger's. But then it wouldn't surprise me if I did either. Or any number of other people.
Maybe bring it up with your pdoc?
Posted by Deneb on November 15, 2008, at 15:37:53
In reply to Re: Wow, this was unexpected... » Deneb, posted by gardenergirl on November 15, 2008, at 15:08:31
I'm not sure what I think. I guess this would explain some things, why I don't have any close friends, for example.
I've never had close friends, ever.
Maybe this explains why I don't understand other people's emotions.
Posted by Deneb on November 15, 2008, at 15:42:31
In reply to Re: Wow, this was unexpected... » Deneb, posted by Dinah on November 15, 2008, at 15:20:27
I'll definitely bring it up with pdoc on Tues.
This definitely puts a different spin on things. I never thought I might be that different from other people.
Posted by olivepit on November 15, 2008, at 16:36:47
In reply to Re: Wow, this was unexpected..., posted by Deneb on November 15, 2008, at 15:42:31
Posted by caraher on November 16, 2008, at 7:48:09
In reply to Re: Wow, this was unexpected... » gardenergirl, posted by Deneb on November 15, 2008, at 15:37:53
> Maybe this explains why I don't understand other people's emotions.
Maybe... I just hope that as you look into this you come to understand yourself better and use that understanding as tool to help yourself. I'd hate to see you limit yourself by a label!
Posted by llurpsienoodle on November 16, 2008, at 8:21:36
In reply to Wow, this was unexpected..., posted by Deneb on November 15, 2008, at 13:50:38
Hey Deneb,
My dad has autism spectrum disorder (ASD), most likely Aspergers...Well, if it's any consolation to you, he has an active social life, playing bridge and music in the local wind ensemble, and had a 30 year career as a severely dyslexic scientist. 3 kids and married.
... so, don't think that a Diagnosis confines you to a certain kind of life. There are as many different kinds of ASD folks as there are regular folks. Keep following your heart!
-Ll
Posted by Deneb on November 16, 2008, at 12:13:09
In reply to Re: Wow, this was unexpected..., posted by caraher on November 16, 2008, at 7:48:09
I can't come to any conclusions yet.
Like Dinah said, a lot of the questions have to do with social anxiety. I wonder if perhaps people with social anxiety score high on this quiz.
I'll ask my pdoc about this. I won't be upset or anything if I do have it.
Posted by Phillipa on November 16, 2008, at 12:50:56
In reply to Re: Wow, this was unexpected..., posted by Deneb on November 16, 2008, at 12:13:09
Arent a lot extremely intelligent and smart most of you are and look at your scientific knowledge. it could be a good thing. Phillipa
Posted by Dinah on November 16, 2008, at 13:05:35
In reply to Re: Wow, this was unexpected..., posted by Deneb on November 16, 2008, at 12:13:09
There's nothing to be upset about if you're somewhere on the Asperger's spectrum.
I did a lot of research on it back when I was convinced I had it. I convinced my therapist and pdoc too, but my neurologist said that I didn't toe walk for neurological reasons, just mechanical ones. She didn't seem to be that impressed with my rationale. So I'm left thinking I'm more Aspergerish than Asperger's.
Some of the neurological stuff really fits. I can no more grasp social rhythm than I can clap in time to music. I really can't see an entire face at once. At least not unless it's far away or on a TV screen maybe. I see eyes or chins or hairlines, then piece them together. I don't think my theory of mind is that bad, but other stuff really really does seem like me. And at least part of my social anxiety stems from the fact that I know I'm a bit off in social situations and that they are very stress producing for me.
If you like I can try to look over the info I collected, if I still have it. It was in the days before affordable external drives so it's printed out and in a binder. I might have tossed it in one of my cleaning sprees.
It's not at all that awful, though. There is even a pretty good argument on the Asperger's websites that being neurotypical can be a disadvantage.
Posted by Sigismund on November 16, 2008, at 14:16:38
In reply to Re: Wow, this was unexpected..., posted by Deneb on November 15, 2008, at 15:42:31
>I never thought I might be that different from other people.
But everyone is, aren't they?
Posted by caraher on November 16, 2008, at 21:19:56
In reply to Re: Wow, this was unexpected... » Deneb, posted by gardenergirl on November 15, 2008, at 15:08:31
I just took it... I am a scientist who has has social anxiety problems, and scored 21. That is in the high end of the "no autism" range, and might give a very very rough indication of how much of your score might come from social anxiety components and any tendency to bias scores upward for "science types."
I do agree with the result - I don't think I have any notable tendency toward autism/Asperger's.
Posted by Deneb on November 16, 2008, at 22:27:08
In reply to Re: Wow, this was unexpected..., posted by caraher on November 16, 2008, at 21:19:56
I just read about the motor clumbsiness. I think it certainly applies for me.
My sister is 2.5 years younger than me and I remember she learned to ride a tricycle and bike before me.
I remember the tricycle especially clear. I think I was in kindergarten. I would put my feet on the pedals and and move my body forward while pressing on the pedals and expect to go, but I couldn't. I just couldn't figure out how to move the pedals.
I was jealous that my sister could ride the tricycle and I couldn't. I got frustrated a lot.
This is the end of the thread.
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